Caps’ Backstrom Called For Match Penalty, Likely Facing Suspension

BOSTON (CBS) – Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom received a match penatly after the final buzzer of Monday Night’s Game 3 against the Bruins, and could find himself watching Thursday’s Game 4.

Backstrom was whistled for four penalties in the game, including two for crosschecking prior to the match penalty.

And when it comes to getting crosschecked this series, the Bruins are getting a little tired of it.

“I think that it’s normal that there’s some intensity and the rivalry is getting better and bigger as we move forward here,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said after the game. “You understand that those kinds of things are going to happen. The only thing that’s a little disappointing, for me personally, is the fact that this is the third time in three games our player has been crosschecked in the face.”

“We saw the one on [David] Krejci where he was cut in Game 1, and [Alex] Ovechkin on [Dennis] Seidenberg in Game 2 and now Backstrom. You hope those things don’t get out of hand. I’m going to say the same thing I said last time: Somebody else has to deal with that and it’s not us. As a coach, I’m going to continue to get my team ready for the next game.”

There is a chance that Brendan Shanahan could rule on the matter before Thursday’s Game 4, either further suspending Backstrom or letting him off the hook with just a fine.

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